The deadly Naegleria fowleri amoeba lives in many Florida lakes and makes headlines every summer, when water temperatures rise and health experts warn swimmers to stay out of the water. It's responsible for a rare brain infection that has killed 30 people in Florida — including three Central Florida boys in 2007 — yet researchers and health officials still know little about the amoeba. And much of what they do know dates to studies from the 1970s. Now, scientists at the University of Florida are launching a new round of research on the killer amoeba.

A 12-year-old South Florida boy died Saturday after losing a battle against a rare brain-eating amoeba attack. "I hope that Zac continues to touch people and his time here is remembered forever," his family posted on Facebook. "The battle is over for Zac but he won the war. " Zachary contracted the rare Naegleria fowleri while knee-boarding in a ditch near his LaBelle home. He was treated at Miami Children's Hospital in South Florida. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there have been about 120 cases reported in the United States since the amoeba was identified in the early 1960s.

Southerners have been warned about the dangers of the deadly amoeba, Naegleria fowleri, which live in warm lakes and ponds, but finding the amoeba lurking in a home's plumbing system raises new concerns. According to a report from the Associated Press, a Louisiana man died from the bug after using a neti pot, a small, plastic teapot-like device commonly used to clean sinuses andnasal passages to relieveallergies. When the Naegleria fowleri gets up the nose, it burrows into the skull and destroys brain tissue.

As temperatures climb, the Florida Department of Health in Orange and Seminole counties is warning families to take precautions while swimming in warm freshwater lakes and ponds because of the increased threat posed by the braining-eating amoeba, Naegleria fowleri . Zachary Reyna, 12, contracted Naegleria fowleri while knee-boarding in a ditch near his LaBelle home and is in a hospital intensive-care unit. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there have been about 120 cases reported in the United States since the amoeba was identified in the early 1960s.

People should stay away from warm bodies of fresh water during the summer, the Orange County Health Department advised Monday. The hot climate increases numbers of parasites in the water, such as Naegleria fowleri, which can cause fatal brain infections. Three children in Orange County died from the parasite in 2007. "We want people to know it's rare, but it could happen," said Mirna Chamorro, a department spokeswoman. Naegleria fowleri can be found in rivers, lakes and springs. It also grows in pools that are poorly maintained.

As temperatures climb, the Florida Department of Health in Orange and Seminole counties is warning families to take precautions while swimming in warm freshwater lakes and ponds because of the increased threat posed by the braining-eating amoeba, Naegleria fowleri . Zachary Reyna, 12, contracted Naegleria fowleri while knee-boarding in a ditch near his LaBelle home and is in a hospital intensive-care unit. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there have been about 120 cases reported in the United States since the amoeba was identified in the early 1960s.

As summer begins and the nearest watering hole looks tempting, the Orange County Health Department has a warning: Think before you jump. The health department sent a recorded phone message Wednesday night to every student and employee of the Orange County Public School System about the amoeba Naegleria fowleri , which can be found in freshwater lakes and ponds. The amoeba can cause primary amebic meningoencephalitis, an infection that can travel to the brain and spinal cord via the nose, according to the health department.

A 12-year-old South Florida boy died Saturday after losing a battle against a rare brain-eating amoeba attack. "I hope that Zac continues to touch people and his time here is remembered forever," his family posted on Facebook. "The battle is over for Zac but he won the war. " Zachary contracted the rare Naegleria fowleri while knee-boarding in a ditch near his LaBelle home. He was treated at Miami Children's Hospital in South Florida. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there have been about 120 cases reported in the United States since the amoeba was identified in the early 1960s.

It's still more than three months away, but the Rotary Club is already gearing up for the silver anniversary edition of the Florida State Air Fair.Dieter Carlton of the Kissimmee West club recently unveiled this year's program cover, titled ''Trilogy of Iron.'' The logo painting shows three Marine Corps Harriers, the first design not featuring a jet team. Carlton said his painting works for three purposes: It covers the theme of the air fair; provides an advertising vehicle; and will boost the treasury through lithograph sales.

Because of this summer's extended heat and dry weather, Orange County health officials are warning the public to avoid swimming in freshwater lakes and ponds. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has determined infections from the amoeba Naegleria fowleri usually occur when it is hot for prolonged periods -- causing higher water temperatures and lower water levels. The CDC says while infections with Naegleria are very rare, they can increase during heat wave years and usually occur during the summer months of July, August, and September.

Southerners have been warned about the dangers of the deadly amoeba, Naegleria fowleri, which live in warm lakes and ponds, but finding the amoeba lurking in a home's plumbing system raises new concerns. According to a report from the Associated Press, a Louisiana man died from the bug after using a neti pot, a small, plastic teapot-like device commonly used to clean sinuses andnasal passages to relieveallergies. When the Naegleria fowleri gets up the nose, it burrows into the skull and destroys brain tissue.

Courtney Nash's grief-stricken family offered tearful statements this morning as they recalled the 16-year-old Brevard County girl who died Saturday after she was infected by a dangerous freshwater amoeba. "Courtney, I am so proud of you," her mother, PJ Nash, told news crews this morning. "You are my angel. You are one of a kind. I love you. " Courtney Nash became ill after swimming with her family in the St. Johns River. Within days, she landed at Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children in critical condition.

Central Florida's fresh water lakes and rivers offer swimmers a natural, scenic and cool respite from the summer's scorching heat. But beneath those sparkling waters lurks a microscopic single-celled parasite that thrives in the hot summer months and, if disturbed, can infect and kill an unsuspecting swimmer in less than a week. State health officials Friday issued an alert about the deadly amoeba Naegleria fowleri , found in the silt at the bottom of most Florida lakes and rivers, after suspecting it infected 16-year-old Brevard County resident Courtney Nash.

Linda Shrieves Parents need to be aware of water dangers beyond pools. Here are two to watch out for: • Naegleria fowleri , a freshwater amoeba, can be inhaled through the nose, travel to a person's brain and cause a fatal infection. The deadly amoeba is found in most of Central Florida's lakes, experts say. In 2007, three boys died of primary amebic encephalitis after wakeboarding and swimming in local lakes. The amoebas flourish during droughts and heat waves.

The deadly Naegleria fowleri amoeba lives in many Florida lakes and makes headlines every summer, when water temperatures rise and health experts warn swimmers to stay out of the water. It's responsible for a rare brain infection that has killed 30 people in Florida — including three Central Florida boys in 2007 — yet researchers and health officials still know little about the amoeba. And much of what they do know dates to studies from the 1970s. Now, scientists at the University of Florida are launching a new round of research on the killer amoeba.

As the weather heats up -- and students take their spring breaks from school -- the Orange County Health Department is reminding families about the dangers of the amoeba Naegleria fowleri, which is found in bodies of fresh water throughout Florida. This amoeba is naturally occurring in lakes, rivers, hot springs and poorly maintained and minimally chlorinated (or un-chlorinated) swimming pools. The parasite can cause an infection known as primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) by traveling up the nose to the brain and spinal cord.

As the weather heats up -- and students take their spring breaks from school -- the Orange County Health Department is reminding families about the dangers of the amoeba Naegleria fowleri, which is found in bodies of fresh water throughout Florida. This amoeba is naturally occurring in lakes, rivers, hot springs and poorly maintained and minimally chlorinated (or un-chlorinated) swimming pools. The parasite can cause an infection known as primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) by traveling up the nose to the brain and spinal cord.

Courtney Nash's grief-stricken family offered tearful statements this morning as they recalled the 16-year-old Brevard County girl who died Saturday after she was infected by a dangerous freshwater amoeba. "Courtney, I am so proud of you," her mother, PJ Nash, told news crews this morning. "You are my angel. You are one of a kind. I love you. " Courtney Nash became ill after swimming with her family in the St. Johns River. Within days, she landed at Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children in critical condition.

Because of this summer's extended heat and dry weather, Orange County health officials are warning the public to avoid swimming in freshwater lakes and ponds. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has determined infections from the amoeba Naegleria fowleri usually occur when it is hot for prolonged periods -- causing higher water temperatures and lower water levels. The CDC says while infections with Naegleria are very rare, they can increase during heat wave years and usually occur during the summer months of July, August, and September.

As summer begins and the nearest watering hole looks tempting, the Orange County Health Department has a warning: Think before you jump. The health department sent a recorded phone message Wednesday night to every student and employee of the Orange County Public School System about the amoeba Naegleria fowleri , which can be found in freshwater lakes and ponds. The amoeba can cause primary amebic meningoencephalitis, an infection that can travel to the brain and spinal cord via the nose, according to the health department.